Brendan McCarroll is the leading Irish player at the EURO Pro Tour events at Castle Dargan Golf Hotel carding a 4 under par round of 67 - which included two eagles - to remain two shots behind the leader, Ian Keenan of England, who carded a round of 65 picking up 7 birdies on the way and dropping just one shot at the 17th hole to end on 6 under.
Andrew Thorpe struck a six under par 65 to lead the Castle Dargan PGA EuroPro Tour event by one stroke at eight under par ahead of Friday’s final round in Ireland.
Overnight leader Keenan (Royal Liverpool) was unable to match his opening round 65 in his second round, carding three birdies and two bogeys in his 70 to sit in a tie for second.
Joining Keenan one stroke behind Thorpe is Justin Evans, who carded a fine 66. Beginning at the first, Evans (Wentworth Club) was level through the first four holes before picking up six birdies in eight holes to move to six under – with a bogey at 17 foiling his chances of joining Thorpe at eight under.
Zack Saltman (Aegon) matched Evans’ round to climb into contention at six under par – alongside his older brother Elliot.
Five players are at five under – Irish pair Brian McElhinney (Team Ireland) and Paul O’Hanlon (Curragh), English duo James Busby (The Shropshire) and Nicky Harris (Whitefield GC) and Scotsman Scott Henry (The Carrick on Loch Lomond).
Fifty-eight players made the cut at three-over par for the final round in Castle Dargan.
Mark Staunton was the best of the three FORE Ireland on 1 under.
David Mortimer and Michael Collins finished on 2 over.
